so guys I tried the dex 3 and it did clean the engine out pretty good. I have low compression in cylinder 2 and after cleaning it out the check engine light went away for a like 2 days. Not sure if I should try spraying in some more or just fix the low compression. I called in and the guys gave me an estimate of 1200 bucks wow. So im thinking of either doing it myself if its not to hard or I dont know what else to do. Any ideas?

 

What was the compression reading?

 

80 psi in cylinder 2, Im going to check it this week again to see if it went up at all.

 

hey guys just an update about a month later it seems that the dex/merc helped, I guess it just took a while for all the carbon to be burned off from the valves. I have checked my compression and it reads 145 in cylinder 2 and the check engine light is gone

Just letting everyone know.

 

I've been thinking about running a cycle of ATF through my 4.0 HO to clean it out. I was thinking drain the oil, put on a new filter, fill with ATF, run it for 30 minutes, drive it for another 30, another oil change and filter and then one more oil change after 200 or so miles with premium oil and filter. Any thoughts on this?

 

I dunno that sounds like a real bad idea to me... I have no experience doing anything like that though

 

Very common old school procedure. You're young.

 

Indeed I am... People say running something like Seafoam is a bad idea... Running a fluid other than motor oil in the motor sounds like an even worse idea. Using ATF won't do any internal damage or ruin seals?

 

Nope. ATF has a high film strength and tends to soften hardened seals.

 

Very interesting. Good to know. Just basically fill it up with the same amount of ATF as you would motor oil (obviously changing the filters like being asked above)? How long is it safe to run it like that before you have to change out the ATF?

 

You gonna tell 'em about blowing carbon out of carbureted engines with a coke bottle full of water, or should I?

 

You can have the honors. It works!!

 

But it has to be a GLASS Coke bottle.... Tastes better that way!
I just read through this thread and wanted to add my .02s. IMHO the best thing to do is simply maintain your engine. Run a high quality oil and filter, don't miss your change intervals by to much, and if you run el cheapO gas, use an additive.
Personally I add 8-10oz of straight acetone everytime I fill the tank. Even more so since being stationed here in Germany where the "E" fuels are popular. Why? If you read the contents list of most of the additives you will likely find Acetone as an ingredient/component. In layman's terms it boost the octane rating of the fuel and causes it to burn a little hotter, in theory causing less deposits.
Do I have scientific proof to back this up? No... I just know I've been doing it for about 18 years and it seems to help maintain a slightly cleaner engine with no negative side effects. And since a can of Acetone big enough to do about a years worth of gas tanks is about the same cost as one little bottle of the "specialty" booster stuff... *shrugs* Granted there may be other useful things in that expensive little bottle but I'll leave that to others to decide. My way works for me and is more cost effective, and I've never had an issue associated with doing it this way.

 

Ive also used diesel fuel in the oil to clean out the engine and as a parts washer. Mostly cause we had some stale diesel on hand so it was better than throwing it away

Also have an issues with gumming up the intake from too much blow by, made myself an air/oil separator for the crankcase vents. Works well and is simply a soup can with a beer can baffle and a few ports for hoses.

 

From what I've heard and done myself, everyone will have an opinion based on their own experiences with products. For instance I've been using seafoam every couple fill ups in the gas tank and every oil change through the intake just to keep clean, customers at my job have said never to use seafoam cuz they used it and the motor seized right after (referring to putting it in the oil as a cleaner) so like I always do I used it in my oil to prove them wrong, followed the instructions on the can and even used a little extra just because, and well my engine hasn't run any worse. Also was told not to use mystery oil for the same reason but had other people swear its the best. Bottom line if you use any additive pay close attention to the instructions and follow them don't just think you know what your doing or you will cause more problems than you want.